Review: The perfect mix of "cheeky" and "darkside" best describes this latest signing by electroclash figurehead The Hacker to Rekids, emulsifying two oppositely-humoured vibe mixers, like pink and green, horror and comedy. 'Turborave' and 'Harmonia' stir the pot from different points of view; the former uses pitched-down orchestral stabs, and the latter fires off laser-powered globs against cosmic, final-hurrah synths. The latter track, especially, is commendable for its squelch control, with said lasers firing at a ballistically variable harmonic frequencies in the breakdown; miraculously, all angles are housed in a slinky sonic wire casing, carefully conducted to tempt us to, but ultimately not, blow a fuse.
Review: Who know what Ian Dury would make of this? Uabos delivers a robotic electro-techno interpretation of the Blockheads' very own 'Reasons To Be Cheerful'. On the new Loud Enough A1, 'The Future' translates Dury's quite reasonable refrain from "cheerful" to "dismal", and his admittedly imperfect list is replaced with a monotony of calculative and computational ends: to "calculate (our) own future", for example. Over-dutiful future planning is indeed perhaps the only reason at all to be dismal! The EP unfurls over two further mechanoid tracks, with 'I Need A Freak, Hear What I Say' intuitively likening bodily movement with Q-filtered modulars; both tracks are new favourites indeed.
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Benny Benassi club mix) (5:01)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Deborah De Luca remix) (5:47)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (DJ Ralf remix) (8:37)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Samuele Sartini - Nicola Zucchi remix) (4:41)
Review: Amasser of over 100 million streams in 2024, 'Ora che non ho piu te' ('Now I No Longer Have You') was one of Italy's top electropop hits of 2024. Attracting a panoply of remixers for use in their own DJ sets, Mondo Groove now commit four of the choicest of said redoings to a vinyl press, enlisting such first magnitude stars as Benny Benassi and DJ Ralf. Progressing through fine layers of burbling synth and cooing sentiment, we're most taken, however, by Samuele Sartini's closer, which the roar of crowds into descending synth beneficences, causing all heaven to break loose.
Review: "Underground dance music" got its name for a reason: the black market is where the good stuff is! The ninth release on the underground-allusive, daytime-elusive Undergroove label moot a congregation of sound spivs, turntablist tricksters, deep house dealers, and many other scraggly clientele, for a fresh and unregulated yield of homegrown Lyon talent. Said to have channelled electro house and garage house going in, lord knows what has come out the other side, but we can aver its dankness: Lazer Man and and Funktroid nod to twin moods of desperation and forbearance commonly seen in criminal underworlds, with the stoic grind of the street represented in unfazed, steely electro beats. Real fiends only let loose on the B-side, where Local DJ's 'Dreams Of Radio' and Aladdin's 'The Ali-ens' quell any residual fears through glitchy purples and ghostly tech backings.
Review: Tensegrity Records makes its debut with a release that locks together rhythm and atmosphere like well-fitted joints in a wooden lattice. Founded by Babu, the label takes its name from the concept of tensegrity—structures held in equilibrium through tension and compression. That same principle underpins these five tracks, where restraint and release shape the groove. ‘Tensegrity’ sets the foundation, interlocking elements with a patient, tensile flow. ‘Érase una vez’ nods to electro and new wave, its synth lines tinged with nostalgia, while ‘Meritocracia’ stretches out into lush, contemplative territory. On the flip, ‘Romi’ leans into shadowy, percussive minimalism, its tribal pulse threading through negative space. ‘Structural Stress’ closes with a rawer energy, drawn from personal upheaval yet channelled into something direct and resolute. With only 200 copies pressed, this first transmission from Tensegrity Records feels not just meticulously crafted, but necessary.
Review: A Klang Elektronik Release on top of the pop charts? Heiko MSO and Michael Laven between Kanye West and Rihanna on MTV?
Well...I have to admit, this scenario would be realistic in a world a little more righteous than the one we have here. But to say the truth,
'Reach', the new Laven & MSO single has deserved it for sure. After all the two Producers from Frankfurt put so much pop-appeal into
the vocal-mix feat. Malte (Does anybody remember Tiefschwarz's 'Schmetterlings¬flügel' or Losoul's 'You know'?), that colleagues like
Fischerspooner should prepare themselves. But: Don't get me wrong! Vaporise it to four or five minutes and you'll get a fine (electro)pop
hit. But the whole gorgeous ten minutes of 'Reach' have enough power to atomise every nightclub into dust. Everybody who can take
another one after this should listen to the b-side, 'Reach' as 'Alte Schule Acid Instrumental' (old-school acid instrumental - pretty self-
explanatory, isn't it?)
Pretentious Friends (feat Busdriver - Call by Pillowtalk)
Shipwreck (with Thom Yorke)
Evil Twin (vocals by Otto Von Schirach)
German Clap
Berlin (feat Miss Platnum)
Grillwalker
Green Light Go (with PVT - additional synth by Siriusmo)
Humanized (feat Anti Pop Consortium)
This (with Thom Yorke)
War Cry (guitar by Sascha Ring of Apparat)
Review: Over the years, Modeselektor have forged a reputation as fearless innovators, neatly sidestepping genres and frequently confounding critics. Given their tireless touring schedule and the fact they run two prolific labels it's perhaps no surprise that it's been some four years since the last full-length Modeselektor album. Monkeytown flits effortlessly between skittish 140 BPM bass music, clandestine electronica, sludgy hip-hop and even warehouse-flavoured tropical rhythms (see "German Clap"). There are some real standouts, including a dreamy, slo-mo pop outing with PVT, two collaborations with Thom Yorke and a droning Anti-Pop Consortium hook-up. Must-check.
Review: Tornado Wallace & Jamie Tiller's Basic Spirit (named after their popular party series in Berlin) returns with its sophomore effort, with Wallace flying solo on this one titled 'Dream Corner'. The title track is an absolutely euphoric offering, featuring emotive vocals, pan-pipes and contrasted by a sinister and lurking bassline. The hyperaware energy of the Speed Bump mix follows, while the loved-up sunrise breaks of B-side cut 'Sea Translation' comes with an ambient version.
Review: In 2013, Africaine 808 man Dirk Leyers joined forces with pal Mirko Hector under the Project01 alias. Two 12" singles appeared, before the duo parted company to work on other projects. Two years on, they return with a new 12" for Endless Flight. They begin with "Institution 01", an alluring blend of weighty acid house bass, loose drum machine rhythms, creepy electronics and fluttering deep house melodies. As you might expect, "Planet 01" sees the duo drag their sound further towards Motor City techno, whilst retaining the snappy drums and wiggling acid lines of Chicago. Closer "Pawnshop 01", meanwhile, is an altogether warmer and hazier proposition, with the winding synth melodies and baked bassline suggestion Balearic inspirations.
Review: Hot Chip are back! The coolest dudes since Devo return like a monkey with a miniature cymbal with their seventh full length album. With vocoding effects layered over the sweet tone of Alexis Taylor's voice referencing all matter of contemporary and retro-active pop and trance sensibilities, this album once again sees Hot Chip at the front of pioneering, friendly and avant garde pop music. Produced by the late Philippe Zdar (one half of Cassius) - also responsible for applying award winning touches to albums by Phoenix and Cat Power, Domino is calling the record "a celebration of joy but recognises the struggle it can take to get to that point of happiness". Our tips: album opener "Melody Of Love" and the '80s trance-pop that is "Hungry Child".
Review: The mysterious Medieval Man is joined by Thomass Jackson, Mytron & Ofofo and Barry Sunset on this new split EP from the fledgling Culted label. Their edit series tackles plenty of interesting dark disco source material with beguiling results. The freaky future sounds of Mytron & Ofofo's 'Machinenhimmel' opens up with phased bass and spooky leads. Barry Sunset's twisted sci-fi disco stomper 'Hit The Drums' then takes off to the cosmos and Thomass Jackson twists and turns on loose, jangling percussion that is underpinned by fat bottomed bass. The brilliantly entitled 'Humble Frodo' is a weird and wonderful closer.
Unovidual & Tara Cross - "Like I Am/Comme Je Suis" (Based On The Sling & Samo edit)
Spandex - "The Bull" (Erol Alkan rework)
Children Of The Night - "It's A Trip" (Mike Hitman Wilson's Psychedelic remix)
Jan Hammer Group - "Don't You Know"
Adjagas - "Mun Ja Mun" (instrumental)
Buffalo Springfield - "Expecting To Fly"
The Space Lady - "Major Tom (Coming Home)"
Review: Erol Alkan's 2005 Bugged Out mix was a gateway release for many, soundtracking the entrance into club land, yet also introducing these virgin ears to more esoteric strains of music via the accompanying Bugged In Selection. Some seven years on, Alkan and the evergreen club brand have revisited the concept with a second edition, and like the inaugural release, the Phantasy Sound boss's ever lasting love for the vinyl format has seen a selection of tracks make the translation to this double vinyl release. Six tracks from the Bugged Out mix appear, with the Italo disco of Amin Peck brushing shoulders with Model 500 and an Obi Blanche edit of the Ron Hardy classic "Sensation", while the Bugged In Selection sees some psyche-folk fare from Buffalo Springfield and Space Lady among other gems.
Review: Judging by the overcrowded sweaty scenes in Dalston for the launch party of Justice's second album, the iconic French duo still retain a core number of fans - who will no doubt be eager to snap up this deluxe version of said album. Audio Video Disco comes in gatefold, silver embossed sleeve, holding both the double vinyl and CD versions of the eleven track album. Musically, this is an album that delves deeper into Gaspard and Xavier's passion for prog, marrying the jagged harshness of the 07 era when they ruled the roost with stadium sized ambition. It's probably one of this year's most divisive albums, but then Justice have always liked making a noise.
Review: So, after all the hype, social media arguments and YouTube parodies, here it is: the most talked about dance album of 2013. By now you should all know the story: Daft Punk do old-fashioned disco-pop with the help of a legion of high profile guests and collaborators. So is Random Access Memories any good? Certainly, it's a fine pop album; lavishly produced fare with an authentic, organic swing that benefits enormously from Chic man Nile Rodgers' distinctive guitar work. At it's best, such as on the goodtime disco rush of "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance" (both featuring agorgeous vocals for Pharrell Williams), or the quirky but brilliant "Girorgio by Moroder", it's impeccable.
Review: After his debut release with remixes from Arpanet and Mr Oizo, Kavinsky is back! Killed in a car crash back in 1986, Kavinsky is now a zombie in need of revenge. This record, released on Record Makers, is the story of his first steps in the world of the living dead. Three powerful and original tracks and a Sebastian remix. A bloody good one too.
Review: Hot Chip jumped ship yet again, releasing their fifth studio album In Our Heads via the esteemed UK imprint Domino Recordings. The eleven track album was self produced by the band members (along with some behind the boards help from respected studio engineer/producer Mark Ralph) and recorded in London, presumably in the spare time between the various band members other musical commitments that include 2 Bears, New Build and About Group. It stands up alongside their previous long players, with certified pop gems littered among a heady mix of synthy electo and downtempo romantic jams such as the irrepressible "Look At Where We Are".
Calypso Of House (Keytronics Ensemble original mix)
Review: After the success of Faze Action "In The Trees" Juno Records continue their 10th Anniversary series with the classic Balearic track "Calypso Of House". For this release Juno employ the skills of French deep house producer Julien Jabre who delivers a corking slice of peak time action - he said he had a lot of fun doing this remix and it definitely sounds like it. Also on the remix duties are Pearn & Bridges who had one of the biggest dance hits of last year with Bodyrox's "Yeah Yeah".
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